WHAT ARE YOU POWERED BY?

Acts 4:5-10

The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

This first question posed of Peter and John was fully loaded. It had been carefully crafted to end the stir created by these two men. The question, "By what power or what name did you do this?", was founded in the Old Testament scripture of Deuteronomy 13, which says that stoning to death is the punishment for any miracle done in any name other than Jehovah (God). Peter was aware of these consequences yet he forged ahead.

This is amazing to me because it was this same Peter who just a few weeks earlier had denied knowing Jesus to a girl, yet was now speaking boldly to the leaders of the Jewish community -- the same leaders who had crucified Jesus. The difference was whose control he was under -- who was he powered by? In front of the girl he was under his own power (full of fear and doubt), in front of the Jewish leaders he was powered by the Holy Spirit (full of knowledge and courage).

The next time you feel unworthy, think of Peter -- an unschooled ordinary man, a fisherman. The next time you feel you've blown it so badly God would never use you again -- think of Peter who denied Jesus, not once but three times. Yet God sees through our imperfections and finds a way to use us in spite of them -- we just need to remain willing.

Are you willing or have you given up? Have you talked yourself out of any useful purpose in the kingdom? There are only two things you need to do to get back to grace -- confess your sin and ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. You will then have all the power, knowledge, and courage you need to accomplish any endeavor.

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